In a statement, PDSZ said it was "shocked" to learn that the government has amended the national kindergarten education curriculum in a decree on health insurance.

In the decree, under the section on the tasks of kindergarten education, the term "cultural values" has been replaced by "values based on Christian culture", they said.

PDSZ said the amendment was "another serious step towards public education being influenced by ideology and religion" and the government breaking with the ideological neutrality of education in state and local council-run institutions.

They said an amendment passed this past spring that incorporated "empty political platitudes" like "national identity, patriotism" and "attachment to the homeland" in the curriculum had already "introduced an ideologically charged and outdated approach" to kindergarten education.

PDSZ said the education of young children was about ensuring children's free development, emotional security and social sensitivity rather than inspiring political loyalty or religious affiliation.

"This current amendment only aggravates this mistake," PDSZ said. "It elevates a single specific ideology - the Christian worldview -- to a value that must be followed, thereby violating the fundamental principles of religious freedom and ideologically neutral education. In doing so, the government is returning to the logic of the party-state period, when education was a tool of state ideology. This step is not only professionally untenable, but also morally unacceptable."
 

"PDSZ firmly condemns the ideological amendment of the kindergarten curriculum, and calls on the government to withdraw it and begin meaningful consultations with teacher and education organisations," the statement said.

Official: Christian values to be strengthened in kindergartens

Values based on Christian culture will be strengthened in kindergarten education, Katalin Balatoni, a prime ministerial commissioner, said on Facebook.

Balatoni, the commissioner for promoting educational innovation and strengthening a pro-family educational environment, said the government has issued two amendments to the national curriculum for kindergarten education this year, aiming to promote "the values of Hungarian kindergarten education: fairy tales, games, songs ... closer contact with nature and Hungarian culture, and education in morals."

To complement and strengthen those points, the curriculum now contains a definition of values based on Christian culture, she said.

"Today, more than ever, we need to provide our children a guiding, supportive education with durable values in public education as well as in families," she said.

Christian values consist of "true love, respect, shared responsibility, humility, service, honesty, forgiveness, respect for the created world and the sanctity of family," she said.

She said the practical implementation would not entail religious education but the reinforcement of human norms that have formed the basis of kindergarten education so far.

"The amendment will give an opportunity to further strengthen respect, love, acceptance and appreciation for each other in children, and to give them access to the basics of our Hungarian and European Christian culture."

"For example, they should know that we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas … and they should be familiar with our Hungarian saints who set a moral example to the nation," she said.

MTI Stock Photo - for illustrative purposes only

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.

Since the goal of XpatLoop is to keep readers well briefed, right across the spectrum of opinions, MTI items are shared to ensure readers are aware of all narratives within the local media.

XpatLoop believes in empowering readers to form their own views through complete and comprehensive coverage. To facilitate this XpatLoop has a balanced range of news partners, as you can see when you surf around XpatLoop.com

*********************************************************************************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: 

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoop’s groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters

Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop:

As an independent portal we’re grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here.